Diabetes Mellitus

What is diabetes? Diabetes is a condition where a gland in the body called "The Pancreas" fails to produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs. This gland, the pancreas, produces digestive enzymes and manufactures insulin. When starchy food is digested it breaks down into glucose, the glucose then builds up in the blood stream. The insulin controls the level of glucose in the blood by helping it to go from the bloodstream into the body's cells. Once in the cells glucose can be used for energy, or stored for future needs. Without insulin glucose can’t get from the bloodstream into the body cells. Because the cells are deprived of glucose the body then thinks it is being starved, the animal may then eat large quantities of food to try and feed those starving cells.
Glucose levels in the bloodstream will get higher and higher, and without insulin to allow the glucose to pass from the bloodstream into the cells it has nowhere else to go. The body then uses more muscle and fat to try and feed those cells, hence the animal then develops a ravenous appetite usually accompanied by weight loss.
One job of the kidneys is to prevent the loss of glucose in the urine, all the extra sugar / glucose in the bloodstream has got to go somewhere so the kidneys then become overwhelmed, and the excess sugar then filters into the urine. For this excess sugar to be excreted in the right consistency it needs to be in a liquid form. Large quantities of water are then drawn from the body into the bladder creating large volumes of urine. Because body fluids are being depleted the animal will then develop an un-quenchable thirst, and may drink excessively to try and replace those lost body fluids. So when the pancreas fails to work properly this results in the condition known as Diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes in the hamster are similar to those in humans. A hamster suspected of having diabetes can show a range of signs. Blood sugar levels have to be kept in balance for the body to function effectively. If blood sugar levels are allowed to drop too low hypoglycemia (or hypo) is the term used, the hamster may experience shaking or shivering, this is sometimes referred to as trembling. A rapid heartbeat heavy breathing, tiredness, irritability, behaviour changes, poor co-ordination and eventually possible coma.
The immediate and fast effective treatment for a 'hypo' or mild hypo involves consumption of a sugary drink (honey mixed with warm milk as fluids work quicker than solids) this should be followed by something more substantial in the form of solid food: solid foods take longer to break down and therefore releases at a slower rate.
If a mild hypo is left untreated the blood sugar level will continue to fall starving the rest of the body of glucose and energy leading to more serious problems. In most cases familiarity with the early warning signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia can be recognised and treated.

A high blood sugar / glucose level, hyperglycemia (or hyper) is the term used. This may cause the hamster to become fatigued and dehydrated, the hamster may experience an un-quenchable thirst and drink excessively, therefore pass a lot more urine than is considered normal.

In some pets diabetes may not be caused not by a lack of insulin itself, but can be the result of hormonal changes.
Diabetes is rarely seen in the Syrian hamster but is not unknown. The Dwarf hamster are predisposed to this disease.
The longer this is left untreated the more complications are able to set in. Diabetes can cause serious health issues this includes heart disease, blindness, cataracts and kidney failure. Diabetes is a metabolic disease that requires treatment and lifestyle changes.
There is no cure for Type 2 diabetes but diet is a critical component of any treatment, and in many cases this can be quite effective on its own. (diabetic diet)

An early diagnosis and treatment will prevent or reduce any further complications.
Typically, the very early signs of the onset of Diabetes are increased thirst and frequent urination, known as Polyuria. Changes in appetite can increase and then decrease.

The Campbell's dwarf hamsters are predisposed to this condition: The cause of diabetes mellitus is complex and can involve both genetic and environmental factors. The chances of a hamster developing diabetes increases with age, obese and overweight hamsters are also at risk. A hamster with a bladder or a kidney infection may drink and urinate excessively, this can produce very similar symptoms to diabetes some owners may misdiagnose, this condition is treatable and a veterinary visit will be needed to confirm the cause.